Automatic latching device for burial vaults



v 1,632,243 June 14 1927- MYERS AUTOMATIC LATCHING DEVICE FOR BURIAL VAULTS Filed April 8, 1926 Patented June 14, 1927.

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Application filed April 8, 13-26. Serial No. 103,504.

This invention relates to an automatic latching device of the keyless type foreccuring parts together in assembled relation. This invention refers more particularly to devices for automatically securing the easmg of a burial vault to the support so that whenthe parts are assembled separation thereof is rendered practically impossible.

Objects of this invention are to provide a latching device which is automatic inoperation, simple in construction and cheap to mai'iufacture, and is adapted securely to secure the parts together when one is applied to the other; to provide a newv and improved latching device having the features of. con-. struction and arrangement hereinafter described; andto provide a'burial vault having a latching meansfor holding the sup: port and body securely together, the vault parts being constructed to cooperate with.

the latching means to provide a casing there: for.

The invention is shown by way of illustration in the accompanying drawings, in

' which Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the body and platform members of a burial vault having the automatic latch; Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the platform with apart broken away to show the automatic latching device; Fig. '3 is a sectional elevation of the latching device; Fig. t is a sectional elevation of the latching device showing the body member being applied to the platform and with the weighted latch member swung inwardly; and Fig. 5 is a view similan to Fig. 1 showing the parts in latched position.

The illustrated embodiment of the invention comprises a burial vault having a sheet metal body member 1 provided with a closed top 2 which is permanently connected to the body member. The lower edges of the body member are turned inwardly to provide a flange 3 which embraces an angle iron 1 for enhancing the strength of the flange. The body member 1 of the vault is connected to a support or platform 5 Which is likewise of sheet metal and is provided with a peripheral ledge or groove 6 to receive and support the inturned flange 3 of the body member as shown in Fig. 5. It is to be noted that the ledge or groove 6 is disposed in a plane below the plane of the platform 5 so that the platform extends a slight distance into the interior of the body member 1.

In accordance with this invention, an automatic latching device is provided for antomatically securingthe body member 1:130 the platform 5 when the parts are ass-em bled so that separation of these parts is rendered practically impossible. For this purposc disposed in each corner of the platform 5 is a casing? whichanay be of castmetal and which is connected to the underside of the platform 5 by rivets .8uor in any other suitable manner... Formed in the casing. 7 is a ledge or groove 9 of-approximately the 1 same width the ledge 6 and-aportion of the ledge 6 overlaps, the ledge 9 and is rivoted thereto as indicated in Fig. 2. By means of this construction it will be seen that a continuous lodge is formed around the. platform 5. Formed in thecasing 7 is a relativelynarrowiarcuately shaped recess 10 having an open outer and. upper end the.

platform 5 extending over the upper end of therecess 10 for closingthesamen Disposed in the recess 10 is a triangularlyshaped sector or latch member 11 having an arcuately shaped lower end corresponding in shape to the rear wall of the recess 10. Formed on opposite sides of the latch member 11 are trunnions 12 which lie loosely in grooves 13 provided in the casing 7 on opposite sides of the recess 10. It will be seen that when the casing? is secured to the platform 5 with the portion of the platform overlying the upper end of the recess 10 that removal of the latch member 11 from the recess or inwardly to lie wholly within the recess 10.

Th inner side of the latch member is weighted as indicated at 13 and although this weight may be aseparate part of the latch member, preferably in the form shown it is an integral part thereof. The weight 13 serves normally to hold a portion of the latch member in outward position, as shown in Fig. 3 so that approximately one half of this member extends outside therecesses 10 and the other half lies within the recess.

It will readily be understood that when the body member 1 is applied to the platform 5, the inturned flange 3 first engages the projecting portion of the latch member 13 and further movement of the body member cams the latch inwardly as shown in Fig. 4 to permit seating of the flange 3 on the ledge 6. After the flange 3 has cleared the ledge. 6 the Weight 13 causes the latch to swing outwardly to overlie the flange3 of [the body member 1 so that it is practically impossible thereafter to separate the body memberfrom the platform.

It is to. be noted thatan automatic latch ing device is positioned in each corner ofthe platform 5 and the various devices are in clined in different directions so that liability of the parts becoming separated by reason of one or two latches swinging into the respec tive recesses'by tilting of the vault is prevented.

l/Vhile lhave shown and described a constructiontwhich fulfills the objects heretofore enumerated, it to be understood that the above is given merely by way of illustration and not of limitation, and numerous changes in details of construction and arrangement and choice of matcrialsmay be effected without departing from the spirit of the invention, especially claims.

What I claim {as new by Letters Patent is:

1. The combination with a plat-form having a counter sunk ledge extending around and desire to secure the outer edge of said platform, a body memher having an inturncd flange on the lower edge thereof to seat in sa d counter sunk ledge, casings secured to the corners of said as defined in the appendedplatform, ledge portions on said casings c0- mcident with ad acent counter sunk ledge portions to provlde a substantially unbroken supporting surface around said platform,

each casinv'having a cavity, and a Weighted latch meni ber in said cavity and normally swung outwardly therefrom into the path of said inturned flange for engaging the latter for securing said platform and body member parts together.

i 2; The combination .with a platform having acounter sunk supporting channel on the outer edge thereof, a body member having aninturned flange on the lower edge thereof to seat in said channel, casings fixed to the corners of said platform with the upper surface approximately flush with the platform, each casing having a cavity with an open front and top, channel portions on said cas- DON D. MYERS. 

